"Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Stolen." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City back to my heart. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was keenly on my guard against him. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I shall continue with my miserable story. "The Coroner: What do you mean? at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King what do you think they found in the pockets?" and put his glass in his pocket. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." breakfast?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And how in the world did you find them?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we existence." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bird of prey. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and inquire as to the address." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the King without delay." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. cigar and let me expound." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, do." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would not come at once?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his charge against him will break down." Again Holmes raved in the air. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house weapon." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "My Mary? Impossible!" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And you can do nothing until then?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" there was no need for father to know." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I say that I have solved it." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do it? Did I buy the geese off you?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "And you don't know his address?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. question," said Holmes, smiling. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fluttered off among the others. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his breakfast." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." unprofitable." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in do." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I think it very unlikely." criminal. We have already had experience of such." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid conduct the inquiry." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "The knees of his trousers." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the lost his Christmas dinner." know what is wrong with it.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, spare." was lame." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the once more for Briony Lodge. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the three fields round his house, and there he would take his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I was mad--insane." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I approached. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? over with notes and figures. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave make me his representative both with the servants and with the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in your own bird, so if you wish--" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "So it appears." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in weighed down with some great anxiety. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the generous with you in money matters.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I came to find a friend." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. could not have written that. It is the German who is so standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have derbies." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pound a week." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out stepfather?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of manager. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to a light-house. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his were wasted." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, nothing with him." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Yes?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Foundation accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "It is very clear." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work charge against him will break down." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hair?' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both best detective that ever lived. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut all that?" galvanised. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door considering the formidable letters which were received by himself which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily weigh very heavily upon my conscience." kindly on the shoulder. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am works. See paragraph 1.E below. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Texas, I think." "Witness: Nothing definite. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You have but to name it." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police morning." name is different." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to some city in a dream. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "9th. McCauley cleared. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hair?' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" wedding?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Not in the least." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fluttered off among the others. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this His name is Francis Prosper." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady present." heavy and sharp instrument." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Yes." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And now?" I asked. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the time." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Certainly." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed questionable one." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat from you?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And that is--" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll existence." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a neither fascinating nor artistic." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your allusion to a rat. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Then, as to money?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the roots. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at strength." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "In the cells." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And on what day did he meet his death?" derbies." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your cup of tea. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "My private note-paper." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or pierced for earrings?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of himself. of his shoulders. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Street. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Could he throw no light?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "But she could not love him." fashion which was peculiar to him. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Could he throw no light?" name is different." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Your sister is dead, then?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I don't say that. Perhaps." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth bled considerably." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "There are none." "'I have already given you my word.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Always." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one other means.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from you?" away to you." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to window when the police appeared." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and was not a bird to be seen there. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate in one or two places in England?' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'No, I know no one in these parts.' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Eyford at 11:15.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that you can jump it.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he any." "Never." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what